"Well, Evan Longoria was not voted on by the fans or the players.
... And, you know, it is hard to take. ... Evan Longoria, I would
have loved to have Evan Longoria on the team. Do I think he's an
All-Star? Absolutely. I think he's one of the better players in
the game. However, in this case this particular year, he was not
voted by either the fans or the players so that pretty much
hamstrung me."

Instead of taking a third third baseman (Miguel Cabrera was voted
by the fans, Manny Machado finished second in the player vote),
Leyland admits he took a third second baseman (Jason Kipnis)
because he wanted a late-game pinch-runner. And Leyland chose Ben
Zobrist of the Rays over Longoria because he can play multiple
positions.

In other words, Leyland did not pick players based on who was
most deserving or based on who the "stars" of baseball really
are. Instead, Leyland is trying to win the game because the
Tigers are a playoff contender and if the A.L. wins it could mean
homefield advantage for his team in the World Series.

The All-Star game is supposed to be a showcase of the sport's
brightest young stars and Longoria is one of the top-five
position players in the AL.

We will instead have to watch Leyland use utility players and
pinch-runners in the late innings to try and win an exhibition
game.

Bud Selig wanted to add excitement to the All-Star game by having
homefield advantage in the World Series ride on the game.
Instead, it has done just the opposite by robbing the fans of
being able to watch their favorite players.